Hoss Talk

   Two weeks ago when Dal Reo Damsel paced across the finish line first in the $68,450 Stallion Finals, the tears running down the face of driver/trainer Rod Therres revealed far more than what any words could possibly say.
   
   Therres bought Dal Reo Damsel as a youngster for $6,000 in partnership with Charles MacFarlane.

   She has now won more than $62,000 and, like her mentor, they are two athletes whose stars appear to be on the rise.
   
   "As a youngster I dreamed of one day owning a good horse, and winning a Stanley Cup," said Therres. "Her (Dal Reo Damsel's) win was my Stanley Cup."
   
   It was a victory made more gratifying because Therres began working with horses while helping his father Ralph, a former thoroughbred trainer at Exhibition Park.
   
   He calls his flip in careers merely a problem of working within a family structure.
   
   His introduction to standardbred racing came when he hitched a ride from Exhibition Park to Cloverdale Raceway and found work with veteran horseman Serge Masse.
   
   "Working for Serge was the best schooling a youngster could have gotten back then," he said. "When Serge left for Alberta, he gave me a chance to train a few horses to race at Cloverdale."
   
   In 1990, after spending four years as a groom/trainer, Therres decided the timing was right to begin a career as a driver.
   
   Unfortunately, his story differs from what you might think.
   
   "I blew over the breathalyzer testing limits twice in my first year of driving," said Therres. "To me that was an eye-opener. It meant I had to make a serious decision about my life. knew I'd better quit   drinking quick.
   
   "The first year after I quit drinking was my best year until this year. I haven't had a drink since that time."
   
   Because of his past mistakes and the fact that people know he has been there before, Therres always is available for anyone in need of help recovering from substance abuse.
   
   "Actually, I just learned this new phrase: 'You have to give it away to keep it.' My interpretation is that you have to help others to stay sober."
   
   It's something he has been doing for more than 11 years. Therres not only is a terrific athlete, he's quite the human being to boot.
   
   ON CRUISE CONTROL
   
   Phil Coleman and Jerry Blanchet's outstanding B.C. standardbred Fast Lane Cruizin has been nominated for Best Older Mare at Saturday's O'Brien Awards to be held in Mississauga, Ont., but her chief rival, Eternal Camnation, will be the favourite to win the award.
   
   Said co-owner Coleman: "It is a real shame we can't be there but (wife) Linda and I had booked a Hawaiian cruise months ago, with a no-refund clause. There is a good chance we won't win but who cares, just to be nominated is an honour."
   
   MORE B.C. HONOURS
   
   The aforementioned Linda Coleman has been named winner of the Caretaker of the Year Award presented by the Harness Tracks of America. Coleman will be recognized February 21st at the Night of Stars at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
   
   FINISH LINES
   
   This week the Sport of Kings (10 a.m. Saturday, CKVU-13) features an in-depth profile of Fraser Downs' People's Choice Driver, Bill Davis -- a unique view of equine chiropractors. ... John Henry, a two-time Thoroughbred Horse of the Year who retired as the world's richest racehorse with earnings of $6,591,860 US, is doing well after emergency colic surgery, says a report from the Kentucky Horse Park.
   
   Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, 10 a.m. Saturday, CKVU.
   
                     twolski@shaw.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com